Parenting lessons from Mount Jungfrau: Why my kids ignored the sweeping Swiss Alps—and how their obsession with moss revealed the power of Montessori Sensitive Periods and child-led learning.
Swiss Alps. We’re trekking uphill in 85°F heat, sunscreen sweating off, legs already questioning life choices … (It was much steeper than we thought. Lol). But first, let me share a parenting lesson from Mount Jungfrau.
A standard family hike up Mount Jungfrau became something entirely different.
We were trekking up this gorgeous trail— lush greenery, jaw-dropping alpine views, and the kids were doing their best to stay interested, wondering when we’d get to the “fun” part.
But then, Adrian stopped, knelt down, and pressed his fingers into a thick, soft patch of moss. Everything paused. The mountain, the chatter, even time itself.
It was like nature rolled out a green carpet.
Adrian and Julia dove right in—feeling the cool, springy moss under their fingers, listening to the distant echo of cowbells, and just soaking in the crisp mountain air.
P.S. John and I were mesmerized by the sweeping views, car-free Wengen village squeezed between the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, all of it. The kids? Totally captivated by the moss. (Nature knows her audience.)
Kids didn’t need a summit or a selfie—just that patch of green, springy wonder.
And just like that, the hike transformed into a full-on sensory classroom: touching moss, listening to trickling meltwater, noticing the shift in light between tree cover and open sky.
Big Takeaway
Nature is the ultimate sensory playground. When we let kids lead the way, their natural curiosity turns even a simple walk into a rich learning experience.
🎧 Want to know why your child does this weird but wonderful stuff?
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Try This on Your Next Outing
Let your kids pause and explore with all their senses. Feel the bark of a tree, listen for birds, let them lead the adventure. You’ll be amazed at what they notice.
And speaking of sensory adventures, I’ve got a new episode on The Anya Garcia Show where I dive into the magic of sensitive periods and how to nurture them.
🎁 Plus, you can grab a FREE cheat sheet to help you support your child’s sensory exploration at home.
🎧 Listen to the episode and get your free cheat sheet here!
Can’t wait to hear about your own sensory adventures!
From 90° to Snow: A Parenting Lesson on the Jungfrau Train Ride
Did you know Jungfrau is considered the “Top of Europe”?
We began in the valley, where it was a hot, 90-degree summer day. But the real magic happened when we boarded an almost vertical train for a two-hour ascent up the mountain. This train to Jungfraujoch is famously known as the “Top of Europe.” By the time we reached the top, we’d gone from a blazing summer into a blistering winter wonderland, ascending to a breathtaking 11,333 feet above sea level.
We stepped out onto a glacier surrounded by white-tipped peaks and swirling clouds. It was surreal. Like riding an elevator into another planet. And in that icy silence, a powerful parenting truth hit me…
The Parenting Truth
Our kids don’t always follow the plan—but they’re always showing us the way.
As adults, we often chase the summit—the photo, the destination, the bucket-list moment. But kids? They’ll pause for moss, pick up pebbles, or be completely uninterested in climbing a mountain you booked months in advance.
And that’s the point.
Parenting isn’t about dragging them to the top—it’s about noticing where their curiosity leads. They’re not behind; they’re right on time, immersed in their own journey of wonder.
Real talk?
We climbed a mountain for the view—our kids found wonder inches from the trail. Turns out, awe doesn’t need altitude, just presence.
Pop in your earbuds and listen to the latest episode of The Anya Garcia Show:
“Unlocking Sensitive Periods: Why Timing Matters in Your Child’s Development (Birth to Age 6)”
It’s the kind of episode that makes you say,
“Ohhh… now this makes sense.”
Got a story like this? I’d love to hear it—just hit reply and share your own sensory adventure!
Anya
P.S. If you’re new here, HI! I’m Anya, and these #VitaminA Wednesday emails are a conversation, not a monologue.
So hit reply — or click here — and tell me:
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P.P. S. Ever wonder why your kid is eating their boogers or sipping water from under the dripping petunia plant?
There’s actually science behind those weird-but-fascinating sensory behaviors. — Click here to find out why.
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ICYMI [In Case You Missed It]
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